SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA.- The Planning Minister, Frank Sartor, has approved the first stage of a $41 million upgrade to the Australian Museum. This will be the first big expansion of the building for almost 20 years.

Frank Sartor stated, "This is the oldest museum in Australia, but we need to make sure it has room to expand and can cater for modern exhibitions. Parts of the museum were looking really tired so this upgrade will give it a real boost."

The Australian Museum was established in 1827. Planning for the five year revitalization program began last year after the NSW government announced the funding allocation in the June 2004 budget.

Renovations will include a major refurbishment of a number of heritage exhibition spaces, as well as the construction of a new Collections and Research Building to house some of the Museum's 80 scientists and 14.5 million specimens.

While some familiar sights will remain - such as the whale skeleton which has been a constant favorite with visitors since it was first suspended in the foyer in 1910 - changes will modify the 'look and feel' of the heritage-listed Museum.